St Kilda Pier Redevelopment

Project status

December 2024: The new St Kilda Pier is now open! Removal of the old pier has commenced and is expected to take up to six months. During this time, access to the low landing will remain closed.

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The project

This project is transforming the area into a more welcoming and accessible destination for everyone to enjoy. The new pier design provides improved public space for more people, improved views of St Kilda and the city skyline, better protection and viewing of St Kilda Breakwater's Little Penguins, a wider disability compliant walkway, new toilets, tiered seating and preservation of the heritage kiosk. The new pier is constructed from concrete and timber and extends about 450 metres with a 50-year design life.

Parks Victoria is delivering this exciting rebuild of the iconic St Kilda Pier in partnership with the Department of Transport and Planning.

Community updates

Videos

Spring 2024

Above: September 2024

St Kilda Pier July 2024

Above: July 2024 - Timber curved section showing old pier to be removed on completion of new pier.

Above: April 2024 - Timber curved section almost complete

Above: July 2023 work in progress showing the curved seating area structure taking shape.

Above: Artists impression of the new St Kilda Pier.

Above: Artist's impression of the St Kilda Pier penguin viewing area.

Project funding

This project is being delivered with a $53 million funding investment from the Victorian Government.

Project timeline

2020-2021 - Detailed Design (Complete)

February 2022 - Construction commences (Complete)

August - September 2022 – Piling works continue from water and relocation of the foreshore rock groyne (Complete)

December 2022 – Continued installation of precast concrete headstocks and deck panels and pouring of the concrete deck (Complete)

January - April 2023 - Establish temporary diversion away from the kiosk using gangways and pontoons. Continued installation of steel piles, precast concrete headstocks and deck panels, pouring of the concrete deck, and commence installation of timber structure and service conduits. (Complete)

2024 - Timber decking, penguin viewing area and terrace area completion (Complete)

December 2024 - Opening of the new pier (Complete)

Late 2024 - Mid 2025 - Deconstruction of the existing pier (Underway)

Who are we working with?

Department of Transport and Planning

City of Port Phillip

Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action

Access changes

As part of major works, from February 15 2022, locals can expect to see site construction compound near the start of the pier and Catani Gardens. This will involve trucks delivering equipment, a fenced construction compound and a section of Pier Road being closed to through traffic. Access to the Sea Baths will remain open from Jacka Boulevard.
As required, throughout the project, a signed Bay Trail Detour will be in place around the construction compound to allow continual through pedestrian and cyclist access.
Map of construction compound and detours

Community consultation

Local knowledge and insights are important in the detailed design and construction phase of the project. Community engagement will continue throughout the construction phase of the project, with regular project updates and stakeholder briefings. Anyone with an interest in the project can stay in-touch by signing up for email updates

Community/Stakeholder Reference Group

We’ve established a stakeholder reference group (SRG) to help share information and minimise impacts during construction on stakeholders and community. The SRG consists of members who represent the views and interests of stakeholders and community groups. This group provides a forum for sharing information, gaining feedback and capturing local views.

The group consists of the following representatives:
• City of Port Phillip
• Earthcare - St Kilda
• Kiosk Tenant
• Royal Melbourne Yacht Squadron
• St Kilda Life Saving Club
• St Kilda Sea Baths

If you wish to get in contact with any SRG representatives please contact Parks Victoria on 13 1963 or email info@parks.vic.gov.au

2017 Community Engagement Phase

In 2017, we engaged with more than 550 people to identify a design for a redeveloped St Kilda Pier that would best support the local community and visitors. A stakeholder reference group was established, and feedback was given in community and stakeholder forums, at market stands and via an online survey on Engage Victoria. The Engagement Summary Report provides an overview of the values, ideas and aspirations provided by community members and stakeholders during the engagement period in 2017. This feedback has been taken into consideration and used to inform the design and desired characteristics, facilities and services for the new pier.

2017 - St Kilda Pier Redevelopment Engagement Summary Report

News

May 2024.

Penguin viewing update. Significant growth in visitation over recent years to view the penguin colony at St Kilda Pier has driven the need to review and consider a more active visitor management strategy. First and foremost this will ensure the safety and wildlife protection of the little penguin colony and a better balance between visitor experience, and staff and volunteer safety. Parks Victoria is working with Phillip Island Nature Parks as Victoria's leading penguin ecotourism and conservation provider, to establish a vision for the new penguin viewing experience. This will include an operating model designed to ensure ongoing involvement of existing and future volunteers dedicated to the sustainable future of the Little Penguin colony.

October 2023

Parks Victoria is seeking a high-quality operator with both the vision and capacity to deliver a contemporary year-round food and beverage experience at the St Kilda Kiosk. The Expression of Interest (EOI) for the Kiosk opened Monday 16 October. Applications are open until 4pm Friday 20 December 2023. Information available here.

September 2023

The outline of the 450m new pier is now in place and clearly visible to visitors to the area. Work has progressed well over winter and involved demolishing the outer section of the old pier to allow the outer headstocks and decking structure of the new pier to be built. Watch a video filmed in September 2023 here.

March 2023

The new pier is becoming more visible each month, with new steel piles in place, and the installation of new timber decking well underway. The existing breakwater rock shelter is being retained and piles for the new penguin viewing platform are now in place. Read the full update here.

December 2022

The new St Kilda Pier is really starting to take shape with the new alignment now clearly visible. Jutting out into the bay to the south of the existing pier, the layout of the new main pier section and low landing are prominent following significant work over the past months installing piles, concrete headstocks and concrete deck panels.

3 March 2022 - Works underway media release

18 February 2022 - Construction phase

After years in planning, the iconic St Kilda Pier redevelopment has entered the much-anticipated construction phase. With works starting this week, the anticipated timeframe to build the new pier is approximately 18 to 24 months, subject to weather or technical issues.

17 November 2021

Work on the new St Kilda Pier will soon begin with the appointment of the lead construction partner following a two-stage public tender process. Minister for Ports and Freight Melissa Horne today announced Simpson Constructions would complete the $53 million St Kilda Pier Redevelopment project with off-site works starting shortly. Construction alongside the existing St Kilda Pier is scheduled to start in early 2022, with the new pier due to be completed by early 2024.

1 May 2021 - Revitalisation plans for the iconic St Kilda Pier build momentum.

Today, the highly anticipated St Kilda Pier redevelopment is a step closer with the release of construction ready detailed designs. The Victorian Government's $50 million commitment to the St Kilda Pier rebuild is the biggest construction project for any pier asset in Victoria's history breathing new life into the iconic bayside destination.

A robust consultation and planning design process over the last three years has arrived at a stunning curved structure providing improved access and facilities for commercial and recreational users, greater protection for the Little Penguin colony and sustained economic benefits for Victoria.

Schematic designs released in December 2020 have undergone further consultation and refinement to ensure the design achieves optimum constructability, functionality and longevity.

The detailed design includes resolution of the structural and architectural elements, provides safe access and use by pedestrians, vehicles and vessels, and facilities to complement the visitor experience. This includes new public toilets, shelter, seating and back of house kiosk facilities. Details include use of timber for the penguin viewing platform to provide a more natural feel and space for seating; inclusion of a beach access ramp to allow access for visitors and council's beach cleaning tractor; a variety of seating options; and energy efficient lighting for safe public access in the evenings while minimising environmental and aesthetic impacts.

FAQs

Why do we need a new pier?

St Kilda Pier is an iconic part of Melbourne's history, and Parks Victoria is committed to ensuring it remains a great place to visit. The pier has been rebuilt and repaired in response to age or damage many times since the 1850s. The current pier, built in the 1970s, is approaching the end of its 50-year design life. Parks Victoria has been considering the future of the Pier for several years, in response to both the expected replacement works, and in response to recent and future planning in the surrounding areas. Designing and building a new pier provides us with an opportunity to refresh the services and amenity the pier provides to Victorians and our visitors, and to strengthen its connection to the foreshore and the broader beach experience.

How did you decide on the curved pier option?

Two options, a curved or straight pier design were developed from a pier design concept developed in 2007/8 and published in the St Kilda Harbour Master Plan. During September and October 2017, more than 550 people engaged with us about the redevelopment of St Kilda Pier and provided feedback on the two options. A community reference group was established, and feedback was provided in community and stakeholder forums, face to face at market stands and via an online survey on Engage Victoria. There was resounding support for the curved pier option, over the like for like replacement of a straight pier. Further professional advice from engineers and designers was sought in the development of the design and in 2017 Parks Victoria, City of Port Philip and the Victorian Government endorsed the curved option.

What impacts will there be on the pier’s Little Penguin colony?

St Kilda Pier Breakwater is home to a colony of nearly 1,300 Little Penguins. As part of the project, a new visitor viewing platform has been constructed to improve penguin viewing and provide penguins with more protection. The platform has been designed with specialist input to ensure that penguins can move freely without the current intrusions of humans and will deliver 150m of additional protected wildlife habitat adding to the existing 500m of protected habitat on the breakwater.

Parks Victoria works closely with Earthcare St Kilda to monitor and care for the penguin colony. This is continuing during construction, and penguin safety is the highest priority during work near the Little Penguin colony. Working closely with the Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action (DEECA), Parks Victoria has obtained all environmental and wildlife permits and developing and implementing a Wildlife Management Plan to ensure the safety of the penguins and other wildlife during construction.

What will the penguin viewing be like?

Significant growth in visitation over recent years to view the penguin colony at St Kilda Pier has driven the need to review and consider a more active visitor management strategy. First and foremost this will ensure the safety and wildlife protection of the little penguin colony and a better balance between visitor experience, and staff and volunteer safety. Parks Victoria is working with Phillip Island Nature Parks as Victoria's leading penguin ecotourism and conservation provider, to establish a vision for the new penguin viewing experience. This will include an operating model designed to ensure ongoing involvement of existing and future volunteers dedicated to the sustainable future of the Little Penguin colony.

What parts of St Kilda Pier are being replaced?

The 450m section of pier that connects the foreshore to the kiosk is the primary focus of this project. In addition, this is an opportunity to provide better protection for the Little Penguin colony; improve the viewing area and provide all-abilities access to it.

Will the pier be closed to visitors during construction?

Construction of the new pier commenced in mid February 2022. The 1970s built pier remained open during the construction of the new pier. Removal of the old pier began once the new pier was opened for public use in December 2024.

What are the project work hours?

Work hours are Monday to Friday, 7am to 6pm. To minimise disturbance to weekend trading and events, work on Saturdays between 7am and 1pm will be used as a contingency only. Some quiet work outside these hours will include arriving at site, tidying up, office work and checking on site safety and security. Notification will be provided to project site neighbours if work is required outside these hours.

The pier is an essential part of St Kilda harbour and is a busy working area important for activities including boating, fishing, socialising, viewing wildlife, walking and photography. The beach at St Kilda Pier is unpatrolled so swimming is encouraged outside St Kilda Life Saving Club which is approximately 400m south of the pier. This site also has a disability beach access ramp, beach matting and beach wheelchairs. The club also has a full Changing Places facility with a hoist and change table.

How many people currently visit St Kilda Pier?

More than 800,000 people currently visit St Kilda Pier every year to enjoy the view, go fishing and spend time with friends and family. In peak season, the pier hosts more than 6,000 visitors a day.

Who can I contact for more information?

If you have questions or want to learn more about a project, you can call the Parks Victoria team on 13 19 63 or email us at engage@parks.vic.gov.au. You can also sign up for email updates relating to St Kilda Pier.